According to a story from Oklahoma’s Nursing Times, Chrissy Brady was surprised one day when she began to lose feeling in her left leg. Then, for the next month, she was plagued with migraines. An MRI scan of her brain revealed the appearance of lesions associated with multiple sclerosis. While such a diagnosis is a challenge for anyone, Chrissy has found new hope in facing her multiple sclerosis by working at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). She receives treatment at the organization’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease which is characterized by damage to the myelin sheath, a fatty, insulating, protective covering that surrounds nerve cells and allows them to communicate effectively. Although a precise cause has not been determined, multiple sclerosis is considered an autoimmune disease, in which a certain trigger, such as an infection, may cause the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue. Smoking and certain genetic variants are also considered risk factors for the disease. Symptoms include blurred vision, double vision, blindness in one eye, numbness, abnormal sensations, pain, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, difficulty speaking and swallowing, mood instability, depression, loss of coordination, and fatigue. There are a number of treatments available for the disease, but no cure. Life expectancy for patients is slightly reduced. To learn more about multiple sclerosis, click here.
Chrissy’s Story
Chrissy works as part of the foundation’s accounting department, which is just around the corner from where she actually gets treatment for her disease. She says that working here at the OMRF was no coincidence, and it makes a difference with how she has handled the diagnosis. Chrissy says that working there gives her a genuine sense of empowerment and ownership over her multiple sclerosis:
“I think about the research at OMRF every day when I come to work. I’m working shoulder-to-shoulder with people making progress on the very disease I have.” – Chrissy Brady
Dr. Gabriel Pardo, who is Chrissy’s doctor, was selected to lead the MS Center of Excellence in 2011, and it was then that she decided to seek employment with the OMRF. The group’s involvement with cutting edge disease trials and research means that Dr. Pardo was able to tailor Chrissy’s treatment to suit her personal needs. As a result, she hasn’t had a relapse in over five years.
Click here to learn more about the OMRF.
